Today in Heritage History, May 3, 1856, gunpowder stored in a church basement explodes killing 4000 in Rhodos, Greece. The event represents a series of historical ironies. The explosion occurred as parishioners gathered to celebrate Mass for St. Stanislavski, the Greek Orthodox Patron Saint of the dimly minded. Survivors of the blast reported that their last recollection of events was watching Quasi Modopolis, the church bell-ringer, lighting memorial candles in the church vestibule, for his departed bell ringing relatives.
May 3, 1856- Historical Irony Defined
03 Thursday May 2012
Hi Peter! I thought of you when I posted some Dumb Britain. I thought you would be a BIG fan of the book! Do you know the publication Private Eye? You could get a job there …
In the 1600′s and 1700′s Puritan churches in New England had no stoves. People think that was to keep people cold, awake and attentive. No, the town’s gunpowder was stored in the meeting house. The custom of no heating stove remained for many decades even after the Indian attack threat was long gone.
Ya’ know that makes sense..kind of like respecting the Mosque in todays warfare. I’m betting enemies knew it but respected the “gentlemans” rules of warfare. Thos days are for the most part long gone. Thanks Carl Great food for thought.
PKC
Quasi Modopolis! Perfect.
Well…yeahhh…It’s Greece. Being Irish I struggled with Quasi McModo…but later relented.
. Thank you for reading and following. I appreciate you more than you know. My best back to you.
PKC
can I snarf at this post… lol.. …well i am going to anyways…. “Snarf” .. this put a smile on my face! Thanks PKC!
e82…you may snarf on my site any time you like, as long as you’re snarfing “with me” and not snarfing “at me”
. Happy almost week end.
PKC